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Abstract:

An electronic apparatus includes a circuit portion having a connector to
which an interface cable is connected, a case for accommodating the
circuit portion and having a wiring route for the interface cable leading
from the connector to an external space and a connection opening for
exposing the wiring route, and a cover for opening or dosing the
connection opening.

Claims:

1-6. (canceled)

7. An electronic apparatus, comprising: a printing section; a printer
case, accommodating the printing section therein; an opening portion,
formed on an upper surface of the printer case so as to expose the
printing section therethrough; a first surface, formed at a front side of
the upper surface of the printer case with respect to the opening
portion; a second surface, formed at a rear side of the upper surface of
the printer case with respect to the opening portion; a recessed portion,
formed on the first surface; a first connector, formed in the recessed
portion and configured to connect an interface cable thereto; a groove
portion, in communication with the recessed portion, rearwardly extending
along an end of the printer case, and configured to receive an interface
cable therein; a scanner case, configured to open and close relative to
the upper surface of the printer case; and an operation panel, provided
in front of the first surface of the printer case.

8. The electronic apparatus of claim 1, wherein a front face of the
printer case at a side of the operation panel is provided with a second
connector configured to connect an external device thereto.

9. The electronic apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first connector and
the second connector are provided on one mounting board.

10. The electronic apparatus of claim 1, wherein the scanner case covers
the opening portion, the recessed portion, and the groove portion when
the scanner case is closed.

11. The electronic apparatus of claim 4, wherein the operation panel is
disposed at a position higher than the first surface of the printer case,
and wherein the scanner case is supported by the first surface of the
printer case when the scanner case is closed.

Description:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus.
Conventionally, an electronic apparatus for conducting data communication
with another apparatus connected by an interface cable is known. For
example, a printer, an image scanner, a combination machine, or the like
is used by being connected to a personal computer by a wired interface of
various standards such as USB, IEEE 1394, and the like.

[0002] In a case where stationary type electronic apparatuses such as a
desktop type computer, a printer, an image scanner, a combination
machine, and the like are connected to each other, it is desirable to
wire an interface cable in the rear portion of each apparatus.
Accordingly, in conventional stationary type electronic apparatuses, an
operation panel is provided on the front portion of a case, and a
connector for an interface cable is provided in a rear portion of the
case, so as to improve the ease of use. In addition, in a case where such
a stationary type electronic apparatus is provided with an interface for
a removable memory, it is desirable to provide in the front portion of
the case a slot for inserting the removable memory.

[0003] Meanwhile, inside the case, a connector for the interface cable, a
chip constituting a controlling portion for the interface, a chip
constituting a controlling portion for the removable memory, and a chip
constituting a central control unit are desirably mounted on the same
substrate in proximity to each other to improve the reliability of
synchronous control of a high-frequency signal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] However, it is generally difficult to ensure the degree of freedom
in design while simultaneously satisfying the requirements for the layout
of the exterior of the case occurring in the light of the ease of use and
the requirements for the layout of the interior of the case in the
mounting technology.

[0005] The invention has been devised in view of the above-described
problems, and its object is to provide an electronic apparatus which
excels in the ease of use and has a high degree of freedom in design.

[0006] To attain the above object, the electronic apparatus, according to
the invention, comprising: a circuit portion having a connector to which
an interface cable is connected; a case for accommodating the circuit
portion and having a wiring route for the interface cable leading from
the connector to an external space and a connection opening for exposing
the wiring route; and a cover for opening or dosing the connection
opening. By providing the wiring route for the interface cable inside the
electronic apparatus, it is possible to lead the interface cable from the
internal space of the electronic apparatus out to the external space at a
position where the ease of use is excellent although it may be far from
the position of the connector. In addition, by providing the connection
opening for exposing the wiring route inside the electronic apparatus and
the cover for opening or dosing it, the interface cable can be withdrawn
from and inserted into the connector provided inside the electronic
apparatus. Therefore, according to the invention, it is possible to
realize an electronic apparatus which excels In the ease of use and has a
high degree of freedom in design.

[0007] Furthermore, the electronic apparatus in accordance with the
invention is characterized in that the case is provided with an operation
panel on a front portion thereof, and has a connection port for allowing
the external space and the wiring route to communicate with each other on
a rear portion thereof. By providing the operation panel on the front
portion of the case and by providing the connection port for the cable in
the rear portion of the case, it is possible to improve the ease of use
of the stationary type electronic apparatus.

[0008] Furthermore, the electronic apparatus in accordance with the
invention is characterized in that the connection opening exposes the
wiring route in its entirety. By adopting an arrangement in which the
wiring route can be exposed in its entirety, the detachment and
attachment of the interface cable are facilitated.

[0009] Furthermore, the electronic apparatus in accordance with the
invention is characterized by further including: a printing section which
is accommodated in the case, the electronic apparatus functioning as a
printer, wherein the case has a maintenance opening which exposes the
printing section, and the cover is connected to the case in such a manner
as to be movable from a position for closing the connection opening and
the maintenance opening to a position for opening the connection opening
and the maintenance opening. By adopting an arrangement in which the
connection opening for exposing the wiring route of the interface cable
is also opened by moving the cover for closing the maintenance opening
for providing maintenance to the printing section, the structure of the
electronic apparatus which functions as the printer becomes simple.

[0010] Furthermore, the electronic apparatus accordance with the invention
is characterized in that the case has an operation panel and an insertion
port for a removable memory on the front portion, and has a connection
port for allowing the external space and the wiring route to communicate
with each other on the rear portion, and that the circuit portion has a
memory controlling portion for controlling the removable memory, an
interface controlling portion for controlling the transmission and
reception of a signal through the Interface cable, and a substrate for
mounting thereon the connector, the memory controlling portion, and the
interface controlling portion. Since the connector, the memory
controlling portion, and the interface controlling portion are mounted on
one substrate, it is possible to improve the reliability of the
electronic apparatus which effects signal processing at high speed. In
addition, as a result of the provision of the operation panel and the
removable memory in the front portion of the case, the provision of the
connection port for the interface cable in the rear portion of the case,
and the provision of the wiring route or the interface cable inside the
electronic apparatus, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost by
improving the ease of use of the electronic apparatus without a decline
in reliability.

[0011] Furthermore, the electronic apparatus in accordance with the
invention is characterized in that the case has connection ports on at
least the front portion and the rear portion respectively, for the
interface cable for inputting data to be printed by the printing section,
and that the circuit portion has a first connector to which a first
interface cable led out to the external space through the wiring route is
connected and which is spaced apart from one of the connection ports, a
second connector which is exposed from another one of the connection
ports and to which a second interface cable is connected, an interface
controlling portion for controlling the transmission and reception of a
signal through the first interface cable and the second interface cable,
and a substrate for mounting thereon the first connector, the second
connector, and the interface controlling portion. Since the two
connectors and the interface controlling portion for controlling the
transmission and reception of a signal through the interface cables
respectively connected to these connectors are mounted on one substrate,
it is possible to improve the reliability of the electronic apparatus
which effects signal processing at high speed. As compared with a case
where a control portion is provided for each connector, the manufacturing
cost can be reduced and the apparatus can be made compact. In addition,
by adopting the arrangement in which one of the two interface cables for
inputting data to the printing section can be connected from the rear
portion of the case, and the other one can be connected from the front
portion of the case, an Interface cable for connecting to a stationary
type electronic apparatus such as a desktop type computer can be wired to
the rear side of the case, while an interface cable for connecting a
portable type electronic apparatus such as a digital camera can be wired
to the front side of the case. Therefore, it is possible to improve the
ease of use of the electronic apparatus having the printing function.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will
become more apparent from a detailed description of a preferred
embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view according to an embodiment of the
invention;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a front view according to the embodiment of the
invention;

[0015] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of an area A shown in FIG. 1;

[0016] FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram according to the embodiment of the
invention;

[0017] FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 4A;

[0018] FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of FIG. 4A;

[0019] FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D of FIG. 4A;

[0020] FIG. 5 is a plan view according to the embodiment of the invention;

[0021] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram according to the embodiment of the
invention; and

[0022] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram according to the related art.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0023] Hereafter, a description will be given of an embodiment of the
invention.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combination machine 1 according
to the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of the
combination machine 1. The housing of the combination machine 1 includes
a printer case 2, a front case 4, and a scanner case 3, and the like.

[0025] A maintenance opening 6 is formed in the printer case 2 serving as
a case.

[0026] A carriage 20 serving as a printing section, an ink cartridge 22,
and the like are, exposed through the maintenance opening 6. An
unillustrated print head for ejecting ink, which is stored in the ink
cartridge 22, toward printing paper is mounted on the carriage 20.

[0027] The printing section may be formed on the basis of any printing
method such as an ink jet system, a laser system, or the like. In
addition, the maintenance opening 6 may expose only a paper feeding and
discharging mechanism for a countermeasure against a paper jam.

[0028] The scanner case 3 serving as a cover is rotatably connected to the
printer case 2 so as to be movable from a position for dosing the
maintenance opening 6 to a position for opening the maintenance opening
6. In the attitude of the scanner case 3 for opening the maintenance
opening 6, the entire upper portion of the printer case 2 is made open.

[0029] A structure may be adopted in which the scanner case 3 and the
printer case 2 are connected so that the scanner case 3 can slide on top
of the printer case 2.

[0030] The font case 4 serving as a case is attached to an upper portion
of a front part of the printer case 2. The front case 4 is provided with
an operation panel 8.

[0031] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of an area A shown in FIG. 1. A recessed
portion 10 is fanned in the front case 4. A first opening 14 is formed in
a side wall 12 of the recessed portion 10. A USB connector 16 for PC
connection (USB connector for a PC) serving as a first connector is
exposed in the first opening 14. A USB cable 18 for PC connection (USB
cable for a PC) serving as a first interface cable is connected to the
USB connector 16 for a PC.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 1, 4A, and 4B, a groove portion 24 extending from
the recessed portion 10 to a rear portion of the printer case 2 is formed
in a side of the printer case 2. The USB cable 18 for a PC is
accommodated in the groove portion 24. The groove portion 24 forms a
wiring route for guiding the USB cable 18 for a PC to the rear portion of
the printer case 2.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 1, 4A, and 4D), a connection port 26 is formed in
a rear surface of the combination machine 1. The connection port 26
corresponds to one end of the groove portion 24 and allows the external
space and the wiring route formed by the groove portion 24 to communicate
each other. The USB cable 18 for a PC is led from the connection port 26
to outside the apparatus. An unillustrated stationary type electronic
apparatus (PC) such as a desktop type computer is connected to the
combination machine 1 by the USB cable 18 for a PC. The first opening 14,
the recessed portion 10, the groove portion 24, and the connection port
26 correspond to the wiring route. In addition, an upper opening 28 of
the recessed portion 10, an upper opening 30 of the groove portion 24,
and an upper opening 32 of the connection port 26 correspond to a
connection opening of the invention.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a second opening 34 is formed in a front
surface of the printer case 2. A USB connector 36 for connection to an
external memory device (USB connector for an external memory) serving as
a second connector is exposed in the second opening 34. A USB cable 37
for connection to an external memory device (USB cable for an external
memory) serving as a second interface cable is connected to the USB
connector 36 for an external memory. An unillustrated external memory
device is connected to the combination machine 1 by the USB cable 37 for
an external memory.

[0035] Insertion ports 38 for a plurality of kinds of removable memories
are formed in the front surface of the printer case 2. An unillustrated
removable memory is inserted in each of the insertion ports 38, and the
removable memory is connected to a connector 40 for a removable memory
(memory connector), which will be described later.

[0036] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the combination machine 1 in a state
in which the front case 4 is removed.

[0037] A main-board 42 serving as a circuit portion is mounted on the
front portion of the printer case 2.

[0038] The following are mounted on the mainboard 42: the USB CONNECTOR 16
FOR A PC, the USB connector 36 for an external memory, the memory
connector 40, a CPU 44 incorporating a USB controller, unillustrated
memories, a controller 46 for removable memories (memory controller), and
the like. The USB connector 16 for a PC is disposed at a position spaced
apart from the connection port 26 formed in a rear portion of the printer
case 2. The USB connector 36 for an external memory is disposed in the
vicinity of the second opening 34 formed in the front surface of the
printer case 2. The memory connector 40 is disposed in the vicinity of
the insertion ports 38.

[0039] The CPU 44 is electrically connected to the unillustrated memories,
the USB CONNECTOR 16 FOR A PC, the USB connector 36 for an external
memory, and the memory controller 46. The CPU 44 controls the respective
portions of the combination machine 1 in accordance with a program stored
in the unillustrated memory. The CPU 44 also functions as an interface
controlling portion. The CPU 44 receives a control signal, image data,
and the like from the PC through USB communication. In addition, the CPU
44 receives image data and the like from the external memory device
through the USB communication.

[0040] Although the CPU 44 incorporating the USB controller has been
illustrated, the CPU and the USB controller may be formed on separate
chips.

[0041] The memory connector 40 is electrically connected to the memory
controller 46. The CPU 44 controls the memory controller 46. The memory
controller 46 reads image data and the like subject to printing from a
removable memory by controlling the removable memory. The memory
controller 46 and the memory connector 40 correspond to a memory
controlling portion.

[0042] According to the above-described embodiment, the connection port 26
is provided in the rear portion of the printer case 2, and the USB cable
18 for a PC which is not frequently attached or detached is led out from
the rear portion of the combination machine 1. Accordingly, the wiring of
the USB cable 18 for a PC which is connected to the stationary type
electronic apparatus is not conspicuous, so that the appearance is good.

[0043] In addition, since the second opening 34 and the insertion ports 38
are provided on the front surface side where the operation panel 8 is
provided, the connection or disconnection of the external memory device,
the insertion or removal of the removal memory, and the operation of the
operation panel, which are frequently performed by a user, can be
effected from the front surface side, so that the operating efficiency is
excellent. Accordingly, the ease of use of the combination machine 1
improves.

[0044] In addition, by providing the first opening 14, the recessed
portion 10, and the groove portion 24, the USB cable 18 for a PC is
guided from the front surface side of the combination machine 1 to the
rear surface side where the connection port 26 is provided, and the USB
cable 18 for a PC is led out from the connection port 26 of the
combination machine 1. Therefore, the USB connector 16 for a PC can be
disposed on the front surface side of the combination machine 1.
Accordingly, the USB connector 36 for an external memory disposed in the
vicinity of the second opening 34, the memory connector 40 disposed in
the vicinity of the insertion ports 38, the CPU 44, and the memory
controller 46 can be mounted on the same main-board 42. Hence, it is
possible to improve the reliability in USB communication between the CPU
44 and the PC and signal processing between the CPU 44 and the removable
memory without impairing the ease of use, and improve the degree of
freedom in the design of the main-board 42. In addition, the size of the
main-board 42 can be made compact, and the manufacturing cost can be
reduced. In addition, as compared with a case where the main-board is
connected by a connector or connected by a cable by providing a separate
substrate for mounting a USB controller, it is possible to reduce the
manufacturing cost of the circuit portion.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE

[0045] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the combination machine
as a comparative example of the invention. In the comparative example of
the invention, the USB connector 36 for an external memory and the memory
connector 40 are respectively disposed in the vicinities of the second
opening 34 and the insertion port 38 formed in the front portion of the
printer case 2, while the USB connector 16 for a PC is disposed in the
vicinity of the connection port 26 formed In the rear portion of the
printer case 2. Since a high-speed signal Is transmitted, the USB
connector 36 for an external memory, the memory connector 40, and the USB
connector 16 for a PC should desirably be mounted on the same main-board
42. Accordingly, the main-board 42 has a shape in which it extends from
the front portion to the rear portion of the printer case 2. In addition,
since the printing section such as the carriage 20 and the unillustrated
paper feeding and discharging mechanism are disposed in a central portion
of the printer case 2, the main-board 42 is installed vertically on a
side portion of the printer case. Namely, in the combination machine as
the comparative example of the invention, since the USB connector 16 for
a PC is provided in the rear portion of the case, the design becomes such
that the insertion port 38 is vertically elongated and is offset toward
the side portion of the printer case 2.

[0046] On the other hand, according to the above-described embodiment,
since the USB cable 18 for a PC is guided freely along the wiring route,
the USB connecto 16 for a PC is disposed at a predetermined position, and
the connection port 26 can be formed at a predetermined position.
Accordingly, since the main-board 42 can be installed horizontally in the
front portion of the printer case 2, the second opening 34 and the
insertion port 38 become horizontally elongated, as shown in FIG. 2. In
addition, the insertion ports 38 can be formed in the center of the front
portion of the printer case 2. In comparison with the design of the
comparative example in which the second opening 34 and the insertion port
38 become vertically elongated relative to the horizontally elongated
design of the operation panel 8, it is possible to obtain a neat design.
In other words, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom in the
design of the appearance.

[0047] Further, if the scanner case 3 is set in an attitude in which the
maintenance opening 6 is open, all of the first opening 14, the recessed
portion 10, the groove portion 24, and the connection port 26 can be
exposed. Accordingly, since the USB cable 18 for a PC can be easily
inserted into and removed from the USB connector 16 for a PC provided
inside the combination machine 1, the ease of use improves. In addition,
since the scanner case 3 for opening and closing the maintenance opening
6 is used as a cover for the connection opening, a separate structure is
not required. Accordingly, the structure of the combination machine 1
becomes simple.

[0048] Although in the above-described embodiment the USB cable 18 for a
PC is guided by the groove portion 24 formed by an outer wall of the
front case 4, the USB cable 18 for a PC may not be retained inside the
case 1 in which the substrate 42 with the connector 16 mounted thereon Is
accommodated, as shown in FIG. 6.

[0049] In addition, if the USB cable 18 for a PC can be easily removed
from and inserted Into the USB connector 16 for a PC, the wiring route
may be partially exposed by providing in the case 2 an opening 106
serving as the connection opening and a cover 103 for opening and closing
the opening 106, as shown in FIG. 6.

[0050] In addition, although in the above-described embodiment the
connection opening is provided in the outer portion of the case and is
not communicated with the internal space of the case, the connection
opening may be formed as the opening 106 allowing the internal space of
the case 2 and the external space to communicate with each other, as
shown in FIG. 6.

[0051] In addition, although in the above-described embodiment the
combination machine 1 has been illustrated as the electronic apparatus,
the electronic apparatus to which the invention is applied may be a
scanner, a printer, a stationary type PC, or the like.

[0052] In addition, although In the above-described embodiment the USB
cable has been illustrated as the interface cable, the interface cable
may be a cable of any standards, such as an IEEE 1394 cable, a parallel
cable, or the like.